Diagnosis
As of 5/31/2023, the following tests are back online:
- CDC 10234: Parasites: Morphologic Identification
- CDC 10238: Leishmania Species Identification
- CDC-10239: Trichomonas Susceptibility
- CDC-10456: Babesia serology
- CDC 10457: Baylisascariasis Serology
- CDC 10458: Chagas Disease Serology
- CDC 10459: Cysticercosis Serology
- CDC-10460: Echinococcosis Serology
- CDC-10462: Filariasis Serology
- CDC 10465: Paragonimiasis Serology
- CDC 10466: Schistosomiasis Serology
- CDC 10467: Strongyloidiasis Serology
- CDC-10473: Babesia Molecular Detection
- CDC 10475: Chagas Disease Molecular Detection
- CDC-10480: Malaria Molecular Identification
- CDC 10505: Fascioliasis Serology
- CDC 10520: Malaria: Morphological Identification
CDC only accepts specimens from state health departments and other federal agencies. Please see Who May Submit Specimens to contact your state health department and lab.
Each test request (order) requires preapproval by the CDC Parasitic Diseases Branch. Please contact parasiteslab@cdc.gov to request preapproval to submit specimens. The preapproval for your request will include important details about current submission requirements and forms.
Some assays for detection of parasitic diseases at CDC remain offline. We are working to restart additional testing as soon as possible for each test and will update this communication as soon as we are able.
CDC offers consultation to healthcare providers in the absence of diagnostic testing. Healthcare providers needing assistance with diagnosis or management of suspected cases of parasitic diseases may contact CDC’s Parasitic Diseases Hotline at (404) 718-4745, or e-mail parasites@cdc.gov.
Various laboratory methods can be used to diagnose leishmaniasis—to detect the parasite as well as to identify the Leishmania species (type). Some of the methods are available only in reference laboratories. In the United States, CDC staff can assist with the testing for leishmaniasis.
Tissue specimens—such as from skin sores (for cutaneous leishmaniasis) or from bone marrow (for visceral leishmaniasis)—can be examined for the parasite under a microscope, in special cultures, and by molecular tests. Blood tests that detect antibody (an immune response) to the parasite can be helpful for cases of visceral leishmaniasis; tests to look for the parasite (or its DNA) itself usually also are done.
Light-microscopic examination of a stained bone marrow specimen from a patient with visceral leishmaniasis—showing a macrophage (a special type of white blood cell) containing multiple Leishmania amastigotes (the tissue stage of the parasite). Note that each amastigote has a nucleus (red arrow) and a rod-shaped kinetoplast (black arrow). Visualization of the kinetoplast is important for diagnostic purposes, to be confident the patient has leishmaniasis. (Credit: CDC/DPDx)